the tools last longer than the batteries....

which is true, I think - I'm on my 3rd set of replacements now, works out at about every 2 years for as long as I've had my tools - they get a lot of useage.^M
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One tip of advice, keep these batteries warm - I mistakenly left my last set out in the garage over winter (in NJ, so it's not too bad) and they both died a death - I put them away charged, came back a couple of months later, they were flat, and I was unable to recharge either of them. Now I keep them in the basement, they last whilst not in constant use.^M
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I've had to replace the trigger on my hammer drill / driver and the brushes once. At least the dewalt website allows you to buy any spares to replace yourself...^M
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Interesting how the single battery costs $85, yet you can buy this two pack for $98... does this mean that Dewalt can really sell a battery pack for $13....? think about it.

Dewalt makes some great stuff. I love my 18v cordless tools!

I'm hearing a lot of complaints about the batteries. Face it, the batteries are based on NiCad technology. NiCad are not known for infinite shelf-life, has a memory, and absolutely hates to be placed on a charger for extended periods of time.^M
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Now knowing all the good and bad things about NiCads, these batteries are absolutely no different than you will find in any other system using NiCads. If you don't understand the why your batteries are dying off so quickly, it most likely can be explained by researching the things to do and not do to NiCads.^M
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I've beat the hell out of the tools and the batteries and still manage to get an excess of 2yrs of service out of these batteries. If you open one of these up, all you find is a series of sub-C NiCad batteries in them. Count them up and just go price sub-C NiCad batteries with the same Amp-Hr rating. You will soon fine that even if you tried to replace the batteries into the existing battery case, it is still cheaper and easier to buy replacements.^M
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Rechargable batteries of any technology do NOT have infinite life. With absolutely following standard practice care of the battery type, you can extend this life to the theoritical max. That is hard to do on the job site when you need to get the job done quick. I use the 15min. charger, which is great but at a significant cost in service life of the batteries. You are never supposed to charge the batteries while they are hot. This means if you run it down at the job site, you shouldn't be placing them into a rapid charger. You should have enough spare batteries to get you busy while letting a natural battery rotation occur that insures they are cool when you charge. Slow charging extends the life of the batteries as well by getting internal temperatures lower. You should never leave a NiCad on a charger. You should run down the NiCad battery before charging to help avoid memory.^M
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You can mention any battery technology and there are do's and don'ts. I've had Lithium Ion batteries in a cell phone last less than 1yr.^M
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It all depends on your battery usage habits. Once you understand what you are supposed to do to extend the batteries life, you can usually figure out pretty quickly why you are not getting the life you expected.^M
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Good solid product. I'd buy them again without hesitation. And I have yet to see any group of cordless tool manufacture's use a standard battery interface so that you can use the same battery in different brands of cordless tools. So being locked-in to a particular cordless tool manufacturer is a given.^M
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This is all the price you pay for being cordless. The only way around all this is to pull out the ole 50' extension cord.^M
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IMHO

I must be crazy !!!

How in the world can these little drill batteries cost as much as a truck battery ? I am a professional trim carpenter and I make my living with my tools. Like alot of other guys, I've got a van full of DeWalt 18 volt tools and have to have batteries to run them. Every time I have to buy these things, I feel like I've just got taken up to Brokeback Mountain. But once your into their 18 volt system your stuck. DeWalt got the goldmine and I'm gettin' the shaft.